Introduction: Previous posts have only given instructions on how to make the fog lights come on with the parking lights (see this thread (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=881960#881960)). Some people have mentioned that they were able to make them come on whenever the key is in the ignition, but none have posted instructions. Therefore, this post explains in detail how to wire the fog lights so that they can be turned on/off whenever the key is in the ignition in the "ON" position.

Technical concept (for those who are interested): This is a simplified wiring diagram of the fog lights:
http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2054_p45948.jpg

As you can see, there is a relay that controls whether or not the fog lights can turn on. If the headlight switch is closed (headlights are on), then a current goes through the #3 and #4 prongs of the relay, causing the switch between prongs #1 and #2 to close, allowing for the fog light circuit to be completed and the fog lights to turn on. When the headlights are off, the relay keeps the fog light circuit open, so the fog lights cannot be turned on.

So what we need to do is replace the signal from the headlight with another source that is on when the car is on, and off when the car is off. One such source is the ignition (on when the key is turned to "ON", and off when you pull out the key). This means that whenever the key is in, there is a signal being sent to the fog relay allowing the fogs to be turned on/off independently with the fog light switch. And when the key is pulled out, there is no signal to the fog relay, so the fogs cannot turn on (this is good because you can leave the fog light switch in the "ON" position, and the fogs will turn off with the car and you won't have to worry about draining your battery).

Before you start: This post is intended for people who already have fog lights installed. If you are installing new fog lights, refer to the original post (How to install fog lights (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27616)) for instructions. Then follow these instructions after the fog lights are installed and functioning.

Time: ~15 minutes (assuming your fog lights are already installed)

Materials:
Flashlight
Flat head screwdriver
10mm hex socket
Wire cutter
Wire stripper
Electrical tape
Piggyback fuse (optional)

Procedure:
1. Disconnect the battery using a 10mm socket.

2. While you are under the hood, take the fuse puller out from the fuse box next to the battery (open the fuse box by unclipping the two clips in front, then remove the cover. The fuse puller is the white thing clipped onto the inside of the cover of the fuse box).
http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2055_p45979.jpg (http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_2054_p45969.jpg)

3. Press on the brakes a couple times to drain any power out of the system.

4. Open the fuse box below the steering column.
http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2055_p45980.jpg (http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_2054_p45970.jpg)

5. Locate the fog relay and pull it out. (If you don't know where the fog relay is, look in this thread (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27616).)

6. Locate the gray wire coming out of the fog relay (Note: these instructions are written for OEM fogs and VRD fogs! If you have other aftermarket fog lights, the wire color may be different - check before you do any cutting!).
http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2055_p45981.jpg (http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_2054_p45971.jpg)

7. Cut the gray wire, leaving enough length on the relay side to reach the fuse panel on the bottom (around 8 inches).

8. Remove the plastic cover from the fuse panel on the bottom (you'll probably have to stick your head underneath to see the fuse panel).
http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2055_p45982.jpg (http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_2054_p45972.jpg)

9. Using the diagram on the fuse panel cover, locate the IG2 fuse (fuse #30, blue, 15Amps).
http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2055_p45983.jpg (http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_2054_p45973.jpg)

10. Pull out the IG2 fuse with the fuse puller.

11. Strip the end of the gray wire coming out of the relay with the wire stripper, and bend the end of the wire into a hook or L-shape.
http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2055_p45984.jpg (http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_2054_p45974.jpg)

12. There are several ways to tap the wire into the fuse, I used the first one (12a), but you can use whichever one you feel works the best:

12a. Slide the L-shaped wire into the edge of the IG2 fuse socket. Try to fit the wire into the little slot on one side of the socket.
http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2055_p45985.jpg (http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_2054_p45975.jpg)

(alternative) 12b. If you are having a hard time with the above method, you can try to wrap the end of the gray wire around one of the prongs of the IG2 fuse, and then push the fuse back into the socket to secure the wire there. (However, since the wire is pretty thick, the fuse might not push all the way in when using this method.)
http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2055_p45986.jpg (http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_2054_p45976.jpg)

(alternative) 12c. If you have a piggyback fuse such as the one pictured below, you can use that instead to connect the gray wire (this is probably the safest, most realiable method). You'll need to connect a female spade connector to the gray wire to use this type of piggyback fuse.
http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2055_p45989.jpg

13. Push the IG2 fuse back into its socket to secure the wire. Try to push the fuse in as much as possible, you don't want the fuse to be falling out while you're driving. Also make sure that the wire is not touching both of the prongs of the fuse, or touching the prongs of another fuse. If you aren't sure, pull the fuse back out and try again.
http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2055_p45987.jpg (http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_2054_p45977.jpg)

14. Put the fuse panel cover back on (if it fits over the wire).
http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2055_p45988.jpg (http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_2054_p45978.jpg)

15. Tape up the other end of the gray wire with electrical tape and put the fog relay back in place.

16. Reconnect the battery, turn the ignition to "ON" and test the fog lights (they should now be able to turn on/off independently of the headlights and parking lights).

17. If everything works, then you're done. If not, check all the connections, fuse and relay, then try again.

Disclaimer: Please follow these instructions at your own risk. Understand that there is the risk of shorting a circuit, blowing a fuse, or even starting an electrical fire if the wires are not properly connected. I will not be responsible for any injuries or damages to property resulting from this modification.

BTW, I don't have any posts on these forums because I don't actually own a Scion. The car we did the mod on was my gf's car. I've gotten a lot of useful information from these boards to help her mod the car, so I thought I'd contribute something in return.

nice writeup!!!

Here are photos of the result:

http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_2054_p45937.jpg (http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2054_p45937.jpg)

http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_2054_p45938.jpg (http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2054_p45938.jpg)

http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_2054_p45939.jpg (http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2054_p45939.jpg)

http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/full_2054_p45940.jpg (http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/data/e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5/2054_p45940.jpg)

Full album here: http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery/showalbum.php?aid=2054&uuid=5

Incredible...

wilz i did the same...i love driving with the blue led demon lights in the headlights, and the hid VRD fogs..

That looks great. I just wish the VRD fogs fit in the RS3 kenstyle kit. Good Work.

I think I've seen someone on here do them before..but projector fogs ? -edit..that would be retarded...sorry lol stupid question. Forgive me.

Yours look great though! And great write up as well!

wat kind of foglights are those in the pictures??

man i still gotta grow some and do this already.

Does it turn off when you turn off the car tho?

its wired to your ignition, the fogs only come on when ur key is in the ignition on the ON position. i have this done, but not through the fuse but the ign wire.

its wired to your ignition, the fogs only come on when ur key is in the ignition on the ON position. i have this done, but not through the fuse but the ign wire.

wheres the ign wire? im skeptical about attaching the wire to the fuse.

thx

so do the fog lights turn off when you flip on the high beams?

so do the fog lights turn off when you flip on the high beams?they stay on. the fogs turn off when ur key isnt in the ign or u turn off the fogs ising the switch,

so do the fog lights turn off when you flip on the high beams?they stay on. the fogs turn off when ur key isnt in the ign or u turn off the fogs ising the switch,

sweet, this is exactely what i have been looking to do. i hate that the fog lights are on if and only if the low beams are on. stupid thing if you ask me.

yeah...i use em for "daytime running lights" all the time...looks linka agressive w/ the oem fogs

but its illegal :)

but its illegal :)

what is illegal? having foglights on without your low beams on? having them on with your high beams on? what? how is wiring your foglights to run independantly illegal unless they are some obviously prohibited colors?

i tried doing this today, but the color of the wires were completely different then that of those in the pictures. i didnt have an independant gray wire from the fog light switch. i have an 07, maybe thats it?

vrd fog lights look nice

:bow: nice DIY

does anyone know where the IGN wire is?

yes.... yes i do.

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=138455

- download...
- look at the ignition wiring diagram pdf
- note same fuse that was stated in DIY
- note bottom of it, it has a number and plug designation.

- look at relay location pdf
- locate that plug
- note the color of the wire that was in the ignition wiring diagram along with pin number
- find your wire. *hint* it's gray

are the colors on the fuse box the same for an 08?

download the '07 one.

they're pretty much all the same.. but '07-'08 has newer stuff in the car.. thus more wiring that might not be in the older diagrams

i just did it, thanks for the write up! saved me an hour of figuring it out!

after downloading and reading the diagrams, i still have yet to figure this out...ugh. not so good with electrical diagrams.

cool write up, looks like something fun to do this weekend maybe even sooner. i hate when the fogs are dependant of headlights. THX!

wish i could be helped out here since the wiring is different for an 07, and that i cant read and apply the wiring diagrams...

Someone stated that the fogs would stay on with the brights, but that is not the case. I have the same fogs and wired the same way. My fogs can be turned on without the lights on, but still turn off if you switch on the brights. Now I doubt my car is any different so I thought I would clear that up.

^^ mine does this also, re-wired them and can be turned on anytime but when the headlights go on the fogs go off it make me so mad i can't figure it out

hehe.. i did this mod this weekend, but put the fuse and wire back in to the wrong slot.. and my car wouldn't start. The engine would try to start but would not turn over. lol.. so yeah.. do not put the fuse back into the wrong location.

http://www.crankshafted.com/upload/files/13/bad-fuse-bad.jpg

^^ mine does this also, re-wired them and can be turned on anytime but when the headlights go on the fogs go off it make me so mad i can't figure it out

I can third this. Mine do the same and it's annoying because I can't flash people with my fogs on because I have HIDs in them and that's bad for the ballasts. Anyone have any ideas on how to wire the fogs that they don't turn off when the high beams are turned on?

I will be getting my VRD fogs sometime this week....after I install them I would like to work on this mod. After reading through both pages, I'm still not sure where I can find the Ignition wire. I would like to know where it is so I don't have tap into the fuse. Has anyone tapped into the Ignition wire or ACC wire? If you have can you point me in the right direction. Thanks!

i was gonna go this route,
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=70203&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=0
but this thread sounds easier for some odd reason. . .
maybe cuz there's pics that ppl can understand,
which basically makes it "idiot proof" :loser:
(it'll be sad that when i try this this weekend,
i wont get it right :doh: )

^^ mine does this also, re-wired them and can be turned on anytime but when the headlights go on the fogs go off it make me so mad i can't figure it out

I can third this. Mine do the same and it's annoying because I can't flash people with my fogs on because I have HIDs in them and that's bad for the ballasts. Anyone have any ideas on how to wire the fogs that they don't turn off when the high beams are turned on?

I can fourth this. The fogs turn off wen the High beams go on. But good DIY anyways.
I can be a tad cooler if the fogs stay on wen the highs go on :D

ok I did this mod and i love it. Now all i need is to get a few more LED's and work on the eyebrows. hear are some pics so enjoy.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/jb2000_ford/101_0152.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/jb2000_ford/101_0153.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/jb2000_ford/101_0154.jpg

and hear is a few with headlights on.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/jb2000_ford/101_0156.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/jb2000_ford/101_0157.jpg

Ok, this mod isn't working with the 07 tC. Did as said, Fogs only come on with the high beams and the Low Beams are CONSTANTLY on matter where the switch is.


soooo, what do i do?

i also did this but the fogs do not turn off with the car

are you guys sure you plugged the wire into the correct fuse? I have an 07 tC as well and it works fine. The fogs only come on independently wen the car is in ACC or engine is running. however when you turn on the high beams in ACC or when the engine is running, the fogs will NOT stay on. The fogs are supposed to turn off when you turn the car off.

mine is in the right fuse.. at first i thought maybe it wasnt in correctly but the fogs dont work at all if its not connected to the fuse at all

so really. . .

it just took about 3 minutes to do this!!

right before u cut the GRAY wire,
u feel as if ur gonna detonate a bomb. . .
but all is good!! i did the 12b method
and works perfectly!! BUT the fogs DO TURN OFF
if u decide to use ur high beams

if it wasnt for this rain id post pics, but soon will!!

Thanks for the info, took me all of 5 mins to do this!!!!! :)

I went another route to wire the fogs.
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=223396&highlight=

i just did this one, and let me tell u i am the biggest NOOB when it comes to electrical stuff but i got this to work. hardest part was holding the wires in place while trying to put the fuse back in

does it turn off when you turn off your car? or you have to manually turn it off?

not too sure ill let you tonight

brilant

they come off when i take the key out. You tap the relay wire into the ignition fuse, so when you take the key out, they go off. when the key is in, they go on and off by the switch

they turn off when the high beams go on though =[

anyone with an 07 get it yet? my lights just stay on

i have an 07...and theres no seperate gray wire...... HELPPP

watching

mine were working but today dont turn on and im mad lol gonna re install tomorrow

nice...

i just reset the battery and they work now

they turn off when the high beams go on though =[

Do you understand the whole point of fog lights? Have you ever driven in fog/snow? The whole purpose of wiring them independently is so that you only have the fog lights on so they light up the road not the fog. Why would you turn the highs on in the fog/snow?

i know im just saying a lot of people ask that question so i was just answering that, i know very well when to use them for their purpose and do all the time, just answering a FAQ

Sorry i'm just tired of really dumb ___ people on this site.

i couldnt agree more lol

i have an 07...and theres no seperate gray wire...... HELPPP

x2
the only wire that i could say that vaguely resembles a light grey like the one in the pic that the OP posted is a dark charcoal one, and its wrapped with the other wires, not exposed like it is in the pic...

Nice write up

i have an 07...and theres no seperate gray wire...... HELPPP

x2
the only wire that i could say that vaguely resembles a light grey like the one in the pic that the OP posted is a dark charcoal one, and its wrapped with the other wires, not exposed like it is in the pic...


anyone know what to dooo?????

Sorry to bring this thread Back!....

Just did this Mod....and it WORKS!

I had a BAD habit leaving the car w/o turning them off!....LoL

This should solve that problem!

Do this one... its easier

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=223396&highlight=

has nething bad happen to anyones car yet with this mod just curious??

nope. mine work great

i'm all over this.....can't wait

Do this one... its easier

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=223396&highlight=

thats not independent. for that mod, your parking lights have to be on to turn on the fog light. i did that mod and realized its not what i wanted so i plan to do this one...

Do this one... its easier

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=223396&highlight=

thats not independent. for that mod, your parking lights have to be on to turn on the fog light. i did that mod and realized its not what i wanted so i plan to do this one...

I also gave instructions on wiring them to come on independent in that thread.

I put my fogs in today....they look real nice......i pulled the gray and moved it to the green, no problem. The right tools and some patience to do the job. I wired the fogs got it all together and they didn't work! I went over everything again, swiched the wires and they still didn't work. I hooked one up directly to the battery and it worked? Come to relize.....my freakin high-beams were on!!! I had it right the first time.....!!!! All good now, nothing is easy :)

I put my fogs in today....they look real nice......i pulled the gray and moved it to the green, no problem. The right tools and some patience to do the job. I wired the fogs got it all together and they didn't work! I went over everything again, swiched the wires and they still didn't work. I hooked one up directly to the battery and it worked? Come to relize.....my freakin high-beams were on!!! I had it right the first time.....!!!! All good now, nothing is easy :)

Don't be upset with yourself, I epic fail all the time too.

na.....it's the usual for me...realizing how easy it could have been...lol I've said this all over the place incase you haven't heard.....i have white leds under the fogs, i need really WHITE bulbs and try to match....any ideas? My headlights are smoked so that's a wash....

Silverstar bulbs have a nice color in my opinion, yet they look yellow compared to 4300k HID and hyper white LED's. My suggestion is hyper yellow Nokya's. I have the Nokya's and I think they make a nice contrast to my 4300k HID's. and hyper white 194's in my running lamps.

how do you install HID's on the fog lights? I just got my fogs in the mail today and will get to work later.....just dont see how i would plug HIDs in to them....

YOU can put hid in the fog but just be carefull because it will be a close fit and if you get inpatient , you might brake a bulb.......( i did) if you want i can show you pictures of mine ? jrd2007tc

Just did this on my 09 scion, works great

how much amps do the foglight relay need? can i hook it up to a 7.5 fuse?

ima go do mines right now with a flashlight